Superstorm recovery poses challenges for New Jersey voting

With 300 polling places around the state of New Jersey shut down by superstorm Sandy, residents found themselves balancing their civic obligations with day-to-day survival, Mother Jones reported Monday.

“We really don’t care about the election right now,” one storm victim said. “It’s the furthest thing from our mind. We haven’t eaten since Monday.”

This past weekend, residents were allowed to cast their votes via email or fax, with faxed ballots due by 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported, but several residents opted to take advantage of early voting hours in person.

“We’ve gone without power, heat, hot water, but through God we made it,” one resident said while waiting to cast her ballot. “We don’t know what God has prepared for us. That’s why we decided to come in and get it done early.”

Governor Chris Christie (R) told Reuters that voters in poll sites without electricity would have the ability to vote “old school,” via a paper ballot, in makeshift polling booths aboard National Guard trucks.

About the Author

Arturo R. García is the managing editor at Racialicious.com. He is based in San Diego, California and has written for both print and broadcast media, including contributions to GlobalComment.com, The Root and Comment Is Free. Follow him on Twitter at @ABoyNamedArt